BSF hands over bodies of two Bangladeshis killed in Kasba border firing

The bodies of two Bangladeshi nationals killed in firing by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along the Kasba border in Brahmanbaria have been handed over to Bangladesh authorities.

The handover took place during a flag meeting at the battalion commander level between the border guard forces of the two countries at the 2037 pillar in the Kuiyapania village of Gopinathpur union on Saturday evening, May 9.

The deceased have been identified as Md Mursalin, 20, son of Hebzu Mia of Dhaznagar village, and Nobir Hossain, 55, son of Makram Ali of Madhupur village, both in Gopinathpur union of Kasba upazila.

Lt Col S M Shariful Islam, commander of BGB's 60 battalion, led the Bangladeshi side at the meeting. Kasba Police Station OC Naznin Sultana and Inspector (Investigation) Ripon Kumar Das were also present. The Indian side was led by BSF's 49 battalion commander, Lt Col Ajit Kumar.

Speaking after the meeting, the BGB commander said two Bangladeshis were killed in BSF firing. Their bodies were handed over through the battalion-level flag meeting.

Earlier on Friday night at 11:05 pm, the two Bangladeshis were killed in BSF firing in the Dhaznagar-Pathariadwar area inside Indian territory. The BGB's 60 battalion in Brahmanbaria confirmed the matter in a press release on Saturday morning.

According to the BGB press release, approximately 15 Bangladeshi smugglers, with the help of their Indian counterparts, entered about 200 yards inside Indian territory in the Dhaznagar-Pathariadwar area for smuggling around 11:00 pm on Friday. As they were returning, a patrolling team from BSF's 49 battalion's Pathariadwar camp confronted them. The Bangladeshi smugglers attacked the BSF personnel, leading to a scuffle.

During the altercation, BSF personnel fired two shots at the smugglers. Mursalin and Nobir Hossain were hit and later died at an Indian hospital while undergoing treatment.